Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting their project in Wisconsin are encouraged to apply for a regular or startup 2025 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry Grant. Continue reading “Reminder: 2025 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Open”
Urban Forestry News
A Busy Summer For Urban Forestry Interns
By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist; daniel.buckler@wisconsin.gov or (608) 445-4578
Every year, the summer ends faster than one could pronounce Liquidambar styraciflua, and this year was no exception. Hopefully, while you are trying to recall proper Latin pronunciations, your summer is still filled with enjoyable, productive or illuminating activities. That was certainly the case for the DNR Urban Forestry summer internship program. This summer, staff worked with Southern University students Taylor Colman and Priscilla Loh on a variety of different data collection projects, filling the internship’s eight weeks with species identification, tree mensuration and tree health assessments. Continue reading “A Busy Summer For Urban Forestry Interns”
First Downs For Trees Celebrates 14 Years
By Patricia Lindquist, Urban Forestry Coordinator; patricia.lindquist@wisconsin.gov or (715) 574-1314
On Aug. 20, 2024, the First Downs for Trees program celebrated its 14th year with a ceremonial tree planting at Amelia Cornelius Park, Oneida Nation. The program is a cooperative effort between the DNR, the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Public Service and corporate sponsor Green Bay Packaging, Inc. The donated trees offset the Packers’ carbon footprint when flying to away games.
In 2024, 402 landscape-sized trees were planted by sixteen communities: Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Brown County, De Pere, Green Bay, Hobart, Howard, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Morrison, Oneida, Pulaski, Scott, Suamico and Wrightstown. The trees were provided by Meacham and Leaves Inspired nurseries. Since its inception, the First Downs for Trees program has donated 7,194 trees. Continue reading “First Downs For Trees Celebrates 14 Years”
Upcoming Trainings
*These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute an endorsement from the Wisconsin DNR.
Below is information on trainings hosted by the Wisconsin Arborist Association, Blue Heron Stewardship chainsaw training and the Urban and Community Forestry Society. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”
Winter Squirrel Damage Killing Maple Branches
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
Two photos show maple branches that died recently due to previous damage from squirrels. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR
Have you noticed maple branches suddenly dying this summer?
Sudden mortality of maple branches during the summer in northern Wisconsin is often a result of squirrel damage that occurred in late winter and early spring.
In late winter and early spring, gray squirrels strip the bark of maples to get at the sweet maple sap. When the damage is extensive or severe, entire trees or branches will be killed immediately and will not leaf out in the spring.
Continue reading “Winter Squirrel Damage Killing Maple Branches”
Japanese Beetles Finding New Locations
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
A closeup photo of Japanese beetles defoliating basswood leaves. The invasive pest is becoming more prevalent in northern Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR
The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is an invasive insect that feeds on many plant species. The pests “skeletonize” leaves by eating the material between the veins.
Adult Japanese beetles feed on the flowers and leaves of more than 300 plant species, including trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Forest trees can be defoliated, with open-grown or edge trees suffering the highest defoliation rates.
CISMAs Plan Invasive Plant Events
When it comes to fighting invasive plants, Wisconsin’s Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) are often the first line of defense (and offense).
These regional groups provide a localized resource for landowners looking for invasive plant education, identification support and assistance with controlling invasives on their properties.
Oak Decline Continues In Southern Wisconsin
By Michael Hillstrom, Forest Health Specialist, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
Oak decline at Big Foot Beach State Park caused by flooding, drought, spongy moth defoliation, twolined chestnut borer and Armillaria. / Photo Credit: Michael Hillstrom, Wisconsin DNR
Bur and white oaks, most of them more than 100 years old, have experienced rapid mortality (within one to two years) over the past four years in southern Wisconsin and neighboring states. Research into the cause is ongoing, but the evidence so far suggests it’s an oak decline.
Oak declines are not caused by a single issue, but rather by the stacking of multiple health issues. Drought, flooding, storm damage, age, twolined chestnut borer, Armillaria and other root pathogens, and spongy moth and oak leafroller defoliation all play a role in the damage.
Continue reading “Oak Decline Continues In Southern Wisconsin”
New Invasive Pest Discovered In Wisconsin
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg;
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
A closeup of an elm zigzag sawfly caterpillar consuming a leaf. The invasive insect, new to Wisconsin, was found on an elm tree near the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources office in Oshkosh on July 16, 2024. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
The invasive insect elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopada) has been detected in Wisconsin for the first time.
Following the initial Wisconsin discovery in Portage County on July 4. Through Aug. 12, the pest has since been detected in 17 Wisconsin counties. Continue reading “New Invasive Pest Discovered In Wisconsin”
Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed In All 72 Counties
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg;
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov; 608-335-0167
The emerald ash borer has been detected in Burnett County, making it the 72nd and final county in Wisconsin that have confirmed presence of the invasive insect. / Photo Credit: Paul Cigan, Wisconsin DNR
Sixteen years after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) first detected emerald ash borer (EAB) in Wisconsin, the invasive beetle has been found in the last county without a previous detection.
Burnett County, in northwest Wisconsin, is the 72nd and final county to have a detection of the tree-killing pest.
Continue reading “Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed In All 72 Counties”